Preparations are underway for the 5th Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, scheduled for October 2, 2026, to recognise journalists who have demonstrated excellence and professionalism in their work.
This year’s awards will be held under the theme, “Beyond the Headlines: The Media’s Role in Promoting WASH for Safe Motherhood and Quality Healthcare.”
Speaking on Bolga FM’s Tinmaalgo Sanga programme, Vice Chairman of the Upper East Regional GJA and News Editor at A1 Radio, Joshua Asaah, said the awards have grown since their inception, particularly in the prizes presented to winners.
He explained that while winners in the early editions mainly received plaques, the association has gradually expanded the prizes. Last year’s winners, for instance, received laptops, tablets and cash prizes.
Mr. Asaah said beyond the material prizes, recognition through the awards serves as motivation for journalists to improve their work and produce quality journalism.
This year’s awards will feature several categories, including Most Promising Journalist, Female Journalist of the Year and the overall Upper East Regional Journalist of the Year.
Mr. Asaah said the association would like to provide a motorbike to the overall Journalist of the Year to support the winner’s work, but this would depend on the financial and material support it receives.
“If you compare the national GJA, in the past, the Journalist of the Year was given a car and, in some instances, a house. That was made possible because of the support from corporate bodies,” he said.
He therefore appealed to businesses, corporate institutions, individuals and other organisations to support the regional awards and enable the association to provide meaningful prizes to winners.
Mr. Asaah said preparations for the event are continuing, with the organisers yet to finalise the venue and accommodation arrangements.
He also clarified that GJA membership does not automatically qualify a journalist for an award, stressing that winners are selected based on the quality of their entries and performance during the year under review.
The regional GJA has received support from several organisations for the awards, including WaterAid Ghana, MyTurn Constructions Limited, Lesken Enterprise Limited and the Paga Youth Movement.
Mr. Asaah said support mobilised around the awards also helps the regional association undertake other activities beyond the annual ceremony.
The Upper East Regional GJA is therefore appealing for further support as it prepares to hold the fifth edition of the awards on October 2.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga
